December 1587, 16-31

Dec. 16/26.[latest date.]

Advertisements from divers parts.

Venice, 26 December. (fn. 1) The report concerning the King of
Navarre is rather that he is dead than that he is taken, and
that it happened by a shot which struck at the same time the
King and the Count of Soissons, brother of the Prince of Conde,
as they were passing under a fortress, but the certainty thereof
is not known.

The Signoria has these last days been occupied with the usual
pious works of giving money and other things to the poor and
liberating those imprisoned for debt; and during these days
of Christmas, the Prince with the usual company is present at all
the holy offices celebrated in the church of San Marco and San
Georgio Maggiore.

The intention to rebuild the Ponte di Rialto with stone is put
off in consequence of the opposition of the many persons interested, whose shops and houses must be pulled down.

At Naples, on St. Lucy's day, there being a great sirocco, a
thunderbult fell upon the room where the powder was in the
Castle, whereby all the houses in the Castle were blown up,
260 persons killed and 50 wounded. The castellano, Don Garcia
da Toledo and his wife, had gone to Naples four days before.
The monastery of the Frati of San Martino in was greatly
damaged, and also the palace of the viceroy, the whole loss being
estimated at six millions of gold.

Letters are come from 'Isprach' [Innsbruck] and Trent, but
what the advices concerning the affairs of Poland are, is not
known. Nor is there news of the promotion of cardinals, unless
by the ordinary from Rome which arrived on Wednesday night.
The piazza has been in the greatest confusion because of the
betting, and the matter had reached such a point that some
wagered that there had been no promotion at all. On Sunday
it was said that in place of Borromeo and Arezzo, there had
been created, as well as the other six, Monsignor Ravario and
one Frate Batiferro, a Carmelite; whereby much money was
lost, but the report died out the following day. M. Bandino has
arrived at Bologne, his government.

Spinolo, an agent of the Exchange has fled, with many thousands of crowns obtained by fraud, and is not yet found, unless
since his flight.

Letters from Prague of the 8th instant, sent by way of Augsburg, confirm the news that those of Lithuania and of Russia
had, in their Diet, approved and confirmed the Archduke Maximilian as their King; who had now transferred the siege of
Cracow to the other side of the river Veixel [i.e. Vistula], in
order the better to besiege the Chancellor, who had withdrawn
into the Castle; upon which his Highness had directed his
artillery, being joined by 2000 Hungarian footmen and 100
horse; and expecting shortly from Bohemia 1000 horse and
3000 foot. Merchants in Prague had intelligence from Vratislavia [Warsaw] that his Highness had taken Cracow, and had
cut in pieces all the enemy, but had pardoned those who had
demanded it, holding the Chancellor in the Castle; and that
the Austrian soldiers had captured money which was going to the
Grand Chancellor. Also that those of Transylvania having
learned of the succour gone from Hungary to Maximilian, had
stayed the despatch to the said Chancellor of the three thousand
footmen whom they had got together to send him. Merchants
come from Poland to Prague have stated that Cracow was open,
but that the soldiers would not trust themselves to enter, fearing the artillery from the castle; also that certain Hebrew merchants had gone to offer Maximilian 50000 thalers not to sack
the city; and that 150 of the principal Polish noblemen of the
adherents of the Grand Chancellor and the Prince of Sweden
had come to his Highness' camp, but nothing certainly known
thereof; some thinking they had returned home, and others
that they were still at Warsaw with the Queen dowager.

Yesterday the deputies for the [re]building of the bridge of
the Rialto met at the House of the Procadatore Barbaro to consult with divers architects and engineers whether it should be
rebuilt of stone or not; but so far it is not known what was
decided. . . .

Rome, 19 December. On Sunday last the Pope assisted at
the service in the Chapel in Sta. Croce in Jerusalem.

That evening the Signor Gio. Pietro Caffarelli brought home
his bride, daughter of the Marquis Carlo Mati with public rejoicings, to which most of the nobles and ladies of the city
were invited. Artillery was fired from the Capitol, with sounding of trumpets and fireworks, whereupon the guard suspected
some insurrection and began to shoot. His Holiness's guard
took horse and put themselves in arms as did also the light
horse and the whole Palace was in confusion, but the cause being
learned, all became quiet.

In yesterday's Consistory, besides the proposition for a church
in France, the Pope published the following, as chosen for
cardinals, viz.: Gonzaga, a Mantuan, Monsignore Sauli, Archbishop of Genoa; Palotta, Archbishop of Cosenza della Pergola
della Marca, Monsignor Gondi, Bishop of Paris, a Florentine:
Fra Steffano Benutio, Bishop of Arezzo, brother of Servi; Mendoza, Archdeacon of Toledo, a Spaniard; the Grand Master of
Malta, a Frenchman, and the Count Federico Borromeo, Milanese.

Monsignor Ghislieri, a prelate of great worth, is dead, by
which there fall vacant offices of 12000 crowns of rent. A
courier has come from the Emperor to Cardinal Madrucio and
the Count of Olivares with letters to his Holiness in favour of
the Archbishop of Naples, but they have been without effect, as
have also the efforts made by Cardinal Colonna and others for
Monsignor Maffei. There has been no public betting upon this
promotion, but the other evening some agents and merchants
were imprisoned who, however, have been let off very easily.

It is said that the Grand Master of Malta means of his own
accord to lay down that dignity.

The new Cardinals, except Mendoza and Gondi, who are absent,
were banquetted by Montalto and this morning in public Consistory they received the hat with the usual ceremonies.

Antwerp, 5 December, 1587. The Duke of Parma is still
at Bruges, continuing his warlike preparations and sending them
to Ghent; and the soldiers are marching towards Bruges.

On the 2nd instant, the Earl of Leicester left Zeeland for
England. Whether he has arranged all matters with Holland
and Zeeland is not yet known. But he left good garrisons in
all the ports, with ships of war; and the fortresses of Bergen-opZoom, the Brill, La Fere [i.e. Ter Vere] and other places in
Zeeland with double guards.

It is said that the Duke of Parma has sent for M. de Champagni, but the cause is not known. There is a report that the
Duke's enterprise will end in smoke, as his practices against
Zeeland have been discovered, and that he will shortly return to
Brussels. Others say he will go into Lorraine to the marriage
of one of those princes.

Cologne, 10 December. In the diet at Bisseldorf [qy. Düsseldorf] they have settled, as to matters of religion, that every man
shall live in his own way. The Duke of Cleves demanded a
general tax, but this is put off to the next diet.

The Count of Mers (Mœurs) seeing that those of Holland and
Zeeland are not agreed among themselves, and that the war
will have a miserable end, is treating with Colonel Verdugo and
Colonel the Governor of 'Mers' for a reconciliation, offering to
give up Berck and Valtendonek [Wachtendonek], whereby Colonel
Schenk is very ill contented, having sent many matters of importance to him. Besides 150 horse which had left him other 250
have now departed.

The captain called Blanchemair, in 'Caises' [Kaiser's] Lauteren, made himself master last week of the castle called Berchenhausen, in the lower Archbishopric of Cologne, under colour
of preventing the enemy from taking it, which would be very
harmful to the Archbishopric.

Italian. 4 pp. [Newsletters XCV. 39.]

Dec. 16/26.

Stephen Powle to Walsingham.

My last letter was dated on the 19th inst. [n.s.], since when I
have received your honour's of Oct. 15 by means of Mr. Farrington, merchant, who dwells in Lothbury, over against St. Bartholomew's Lane. The long delay of the letter was caused "by the
discord between the ordinary courier of Augsburg and the post
of Antwerp." I sent the answer to the points inquired after
"yesterday, being Christmas day here, by Geronimo di Bonna,
factor for Nicolo di Gozzi in London, and this next week will
send the copy by Mr. Farrington's means.

Rome, Dec. 12. The Grand Master of Malta, having landed
at Gaeta, and safely reached Marino, twelve miles from here, the
French ambassador has gone to meet him, he being a Frenchman.

Tuesday morning, resolving to dine at the Vigna of Cardinal
Matthei, he took boat, whence he was escorted by the 'family'
of the Pope, with the guard of light horse and Swiss, the
families of the Cardinals, many prelates and all the Roman
gentlemen and barons, and being conducted to the Palace was
received by his Holiness in the hall of Constantine, and there
kissed his feet and exchanged compliments with him. His Holiness having retired, the Grand Master was conducted to the
apartment of Innocentio, prepared for his habitation in the
Palace, where he lives in the greatest splendour, having with
him about 200 knights, and among them seven of the Grand
Cross. Many of them have the most beautiful lodgings, superbly
furnished, amongst which, the hangings of gold, silver and silk,
of one sala alone is worth more than 100000 crowns, besides the
very rich sideboard of silver plate and other furniture of marvellous beauty; the which stanze being all furnished by the
ministers of the Pope splendidly, he has nevertheless wished to
hang the second sala with his cloths of silk and gold of the
value of 30000 crowns, given to the Order by Don Ernani di
Toledo.

The Grand Master has presented to the Pope a cross of crystal,
jewelled, and a casket of very great value.

They are hastening to finish the galley being made here
on the coast at the instance of the Pope; and at Messina,
Palermo, Genoa and other places, fusti(fn. 2) and galleys, to the
number of ten. The dispatch of the Catholic armata, as we hear
from Spain, is entirely suspended, although Don Diego di Lieva,
Master of the camp, would persuade them not to wait, showing
that all difficulties might be surmounted.

Signor Odoardo Farnese, being returned from Capravola, was
sent by Cardinal Farnese to kiss the feet of the Pope, who having
received him with much kindness, exhorted him to attend to his
studies, and make himself reputed to be a worthy son of the
Duke of Parma, who, in the profession of arms, surpasses all
the most valiant captains of his time.

Later letters, of Dec. 19 say that at the marriage of Signor Giovanni Pietro Caffarello with the daughter of the Marquis Carlo
Mattei, in the house of his father-in-law, when he was leading her
into his own house, adjoining the Capitol, with public rejoicing,
and very many of the city, both lords and ladies being invited,
in sign of greater festivity some pieces of mortaletti were discharged in the Capitol, with sound of trumpets and drums,
artificial fire etc., between the hours of five and six at night;
which the guard of the Castle hearing; not knowing what it
was, and suspecting some great revolt or other serious accident,
shot off two rounds of artillery; whereupon the Swiss of his
Holiness' guard did the like, and put themselves in arms, as
did also the light cavalry, and the whole palace was in confusion,
not knowing what was happening; to the great amazement of
his Holiness. But sending at once to the Castle, and from
thence to the Capitol, and it being made plain that it is only a
Romanesca, all became quiet again.

It was spread about that the firing was a sign of joy for
the victory of the Most Christian King, with the slaughter of all
the Huguenot army, and that a courier had arrived that night,
which, although not true, was prophetic of the express which
on the following day brought the news of the death of the
King of Navarre by a cannon shot, as the French ministers here
have informed his Holiness; who on Tuesday morning announced
it to the assembled Cardinals, although the certainty thereof is
still awaited.

On St. Lucy's day, a thunderbolt falling on the Castle of
St. Ermo at Naples, and setting fire to the ammunition there,
destroyed not only a great part of the Castle, but St. Martino
and other monasteries, palaces and houses near to it, with the
death of a hundred persons. It seems incredible that so many
should have been killed, but it is confirmed by letters to the
Cardinals and people of quality.

It is said that the Grand Master of Malta will voluntarily
lay down his Mastership, for the reasons that were written before.

From Prague, they send advices hither to Venice of the 1st of
this month, that in the diet of Poland under Maximilian, there
were more than two hundred gentlemen who had not yet subscribed the decree for his election; in which it was decided
unanimously to give to his Highness the administration of the
kingdom, his election being approved; and a solemn resignation
of the whole was made by a sealed instrument, in which absolute
authority was granted him to confer at his pleasure all offices
and benefices, ecclesiastical and temporal. The Lithuanians have
postponed their diet, on which will depend the conclusion of all
this business, and the rather as it was held for certain that the
Turks would not move; and in the Imperial Court it was said
that the Catholic King had of late sent 300000 crowns for this
[Polish] account.

From Constantinople letters have arrived here of the 11th
of last month, by which it is understood that the report
there spread—viz.: that peace was concluded with the Persian;
that the Georgians were reduced to the obedience of the Grand
Signor and that a son of the Persian was expected for the
confirmation of the peace—is believed to be false, although the
rout of the Georgians by the Turks was confirmed. Ferac [i.e.
Ferat] Bassa had written to the Porte that in the spring fresh
forces must be sent, but this was refused him and he was ordered to treat of peace, since the Turks being weary of the
war, showed a desire not to go out again with the army. Ferac
was to winter in Amida [the modern Diarbekr.]

Letters from Turin say that Ladiguiere intended, as is reported,
to return into the Marquisate of Salazzo with a greater force of
Huguenots.

On Monday there arrived here Monsignor Mattevici, Nuncio
Apostolic, to take up his residence at Venice. It is said here
that the Duke of Parma aimed at having the fortress of Flushing. By advices from Milan here in Venice and also from Genoa
a report is spread of the death of the King of Navarre, whereof
also the governor of Lyon had written to the most Christian
ambassador. It is also stated from Milan that the Duke of
Terra Nova, governor of that State, is going into Spain, being
made president of the Council of Italy, and that his place will
be taken by the Conde de Olivares, Catholic ambassador in Rome.
The letters from Genoa announce the arrival there of two galleys
of that Signoria, returned from Barcelona with 500000 crowns.

It is rumoured by advices from Gratz that the Archduke
Maximilian had entered Cracow, and that the Grand Chancellor had withdrawn into the Castle.

After writing the above, came fresh advices, which I adjoin.

Breslau, 1 December. The Camp of Maximilian, 18000 men,
is pitched beyond the Vistula, to batter Cracow, and his
Highness has attired himself in Polish fashion, more determined
than ever to effect his enterprise, although many of his men die of
their sufferings by being out in the field in such intense cold, and
so poorly provided with clothes. The Grand Chancellor, who is
withdrawn into the Castle, is in want of money, intercepted by
Maximilian's troops.

Prague, 8 December. King Maximilian has transferred the
siege of Cracow from the side of the city where is the river,
to press it the better, having already planted his artillery. Signor
Gianuschi de Osbrau, a Hungarian, has come into the camp with
2000 foot and 500 horse, and the troops of Bohemia are hourly
expected.

Our merchants here who hold correspondence with those of
Breslau have news that Cracow has already opened its gates
to the Austrians, to enter at their pleasure, but that so far
they have not ventured to do so, as the Castle into which the
Grand Chancellor has retired dominates the street below with
its artillery. A hundred and fifty of the chief Poles have left
the Chancellor and gone into Maximilian's camp. Others say
that he has taken Cracow by force, cutting in pieces all who
opposed him, and that the 3000 Transylvanians who were going
to the aid of the Chancellor, having learned the arrival of the
Hungarians in the enemy's camp, have remained at home. There
is no news of the [Swedish] pretender, save that having left his
sister and her ladies in Varsovia [Warsaw] with the Infanta, he
has returned home.

I enclose particulars of the treasure said to have been brought
home by the last India fleet to the King of Spain. Also the
names of the Cardinals created this Christmas.—Venice, 26 December, stilo novo, 1587.

This morning your Lordship's letter of the 10th has arrived,
by which I see that the issue of what had then happened shows
that an ill-resolution was taken for the conduct of that miserable
army, as since then things have gone from bad to worse, led
by the judgment of God to make manifest that resolutions taken
for private interests on pretence of the service of God and the
public good are never blessed, and that his divine Majesty will
do his work without the intermeddling of the hypocrisy and
avarice of men. And there is no doubt that if they had resolved at first what they have done since, when they arrived at
the Loire, they would have done all they wished, but to the
fatal ruin of all that flourishing army, it was opposed (as I
learn) by the brother in law of your friend [margin "Quitry"]
who stood out against the opinion of all, and thus they
took that way which then they did. Afterwards, being
separated, they resolved of necessity to go back again, in order
to repass the river, where being conducted, they found no means
of passing it by a ford, and having stayed two days to consult
quid agendum, there being the same disputes, Captain Cormone
[Cormont] appeared, sent by the Duke of Epernon to treat for
their returning home, with promise that they should be given a
free passage. Nearly all were agreed to go away, M. de Ciastiglione
[Chatillon] promising to conduct them and offering the Baron
de Donna [Dhona] to be the avant guard or to march in the
rear as he pleased, and that in six days he would put them in
a safe place and in friendly towns, to recover from the corvee;
which was resolved upon, and promises given on both sides (fn. 3):
but in the end the same spirit of contradiction arose against
it, so that many withdrew from him; seeing which, M. de
Ciastiglione resolved to cross with 400 arquebusiers on horseback
and about a hundred horse, which he did; and that, as is
understood, with such boldness that his enemies themselves say
it was not possible to do any thing braver; having marched
day and night, fought three times and in the end, brought
themselves off safely, with the loss of fifty or sixty of their
men. Finally they passed the Saone (Sonna) by the bridge
at Macon, and having got a pass from his Highness of Savoy,
came as far as Nantua, and this evening ought to be at Ciastiglione [Châtillon] a place five leagues from here. They have had
victuals given them all through Brescia [i.e. la Bresse] and
Savoy, and at Colonge is Count Martenengo with some companies of horse and foot, to let them pass. It is not yet
known whether they will go by la Chiusa [la Cluse] or turn by
another valley, which goes from Ferire to S. Glodo [qy. from
Ferreyres to S. Claude] but however this may be, there is no
doubt that they will pass safely. The Baron de Donna is with
them. M. de Clervant and M. de Buglione [Bouillon] kept
company with them as far as this side the Saone; then, it is
said, they disappeared, but nothing is known certainly save that
the troop was yesterday on its departure from Sardon, and those
that came from it say that there may be about three thousand,
horse and foot; as one might say reliquias Danaum. (fn. 4) There is
come a report this evening that M. de Guise, with forces of the
county were at Guigne [Jougne] a place three miles from Pontarlier and as many from la Zara [la Sarras], the first place of
the seigneurie of Berne, and made as if he would assault it in
passing, but there being another place of the Bernese, called
Escle [la Cluse] within half an hour, and as with twenty five
foot [sic] they could make head against his army, I do not believe
he will take any such resolution, or that the country will wish
at this time to break with their neighbours, especially as his
Highness of Savoy has given them free passage. It is true
that the dispersal of that army will so have encouraged those
who wished to put everything in confusion, that they may perhaps resolve to make this bravado. Of the Swiss here is no
news at all, and this day I have letters from Zurich of the 13th,
and they had no intelligence of them.

Many French have retired hither, and the remainder of those
of M. de Chatillon, so there will not lack people for our defence. Provisions are very abundant although they are dear;
these Signori not having wished to touch their granaries, which
are full, and where they have abundance of corn for a year,
designing that those who have means shall provide themselves,
each one being bound to do so for a year, as the most part
have already done, besides which a great quantity has been sent
for, to Basel and into Alsace, and is still being sent for daily,
so that this point is provided for. As to the fortification, a
good bastion has been made upon the shore of the lake, on the
Swiss side, that part being without any flank, and they have
repaired the bastion of the gate of S. Gervase, which corresponds
to the one aforesaid, and the flank from there as far as the
bank of the Rhone, which is indifferently good; besides which,
the ditch has been cleared out, and a very good counterscarp
made there, and an excellent shelter behind, so that we cannot
be eaten up in a day. Very good guard is kept over all,
and we pray with all our heart, and thus we stand awaiting
what it may please God to resolve. To whom I pray that the
eyes of that poor King [of France] may be opened, so that he
may see the manifest ruin which threatens his crown and state
and that courage may be given him to remedy it. Shortly there
will be seen the purpose of Spain's great preparations which must
before long break out into something. As you say, England is in
great danger, and if they have not provided for it, they will
have to do so. They write from Germany that the preparations
may, as it appears, well be for there, but they may strike in
Picardy. This is not the season to begin a war, but that party
is strong and the dissatisfaction continually increases.

Your lordship will do a favour to many of your friends if you
continue to write, whom I have acquainted with your last
letter. Loste di Lardo says that you prophesied this calamity,
but even Cassandra was not believed, Troy being doomed to go
to ruin. There is no need to pray you to continue your good
will, and so we commit the whole to God.

M. de la Noue told me he was sending me a letter for you;
if he does it shall go with this.

From Germany we have letters that they heard from Poland
that Maximilian's affairs were not proceeding very prosperously.
He remained near Carcovia [Cracow] where was the Chancellor
with troops, and the Prince of Sweden was at Petercovia [Piotrkow] with the Queen and a great many of the nobility, who had
accompanied him from Danzig; and had made his entry into
many towns; so that it is believed here that Maximilian will
have to withdraw.

The affairs of the Bishop of Liege also do not go on very
well, and many of the nobles of Westfalia and the country of
Juliers have demanded the Religion; for which in Germany
they had banished Jacob Andrea, and many are joining our
confession. I do not know how they will take this scattering
[of the German army] but many think they will not be cast
down by it.

La Ugheria [la Huguerie] is here, (fn. 5) having escaped from an
encounter near Macon, when some of those with him, including
his own man, were made prisoners, with whom was taken
the cornet of M. de Maine, whom the reiters had captured at
Vimori [Vimory] He has been to 'Ciamberi' [Cambrai] and
obtained his passport.

I have felt troubled by what you told me of that poor Curione,
taken by the guards of the Duke of Maine, but it does not
seem to me possible to believe it is Monsieur Leone; because two
months ago he passed by here, and took the road to Lyon, although I have never heard of his arrival. But I think it may
rather be his young son, who was with the army. I beg you
to pardon me if I have wearied you with this. Pray salute M.
de la Chesa [qy. La Chaise] for me. I have had no reply from
Agostino to the many letters I have written him, and know not
if he be dead or alive.—Geneva, 19 December, 1587.

Seventeenth Century copy of an epigram by Daniel Rogers,
ambassador from Queen Elizabeth to Frederick II., King of Denmark, upon a map of the "Chersonesus Cimbrica" [i.e. Jutland
in Denmark] set forth by [Henry Count of] Rantzow. "Segeberg, 20 Decembris, anno ultima sœculi 1587."

16 lines, Latin.

Overleaf, in the same handwriting, but the head-line in a
different hand:—

"Idylion. Jac. Maiori.

"De Policarpum, pastorem Wittenbergensi."
18 lines. Latin.

One of the Conway Papers. [Denmark I. 102.]

Dec. 23./Jan. 2.

Stephen Powle to Walsingham.

My last bore date of Dec. 26, having the day before, by means
of Bonna, factor to Nicolo di Gozzi in London, sent answer to
your honour's letter. I send you this week the copy thereof,
by means of Mr. Cioll, factor to Mr. Farrington in London.

According to your orders of 15 October (received here about
the 20th of December) I have conferred with my best friends,
"whose resolutions of those three doubts," though I do not
value them in comparison with your experienced judgments, yet
I set down as you desired.

Qy. "Whether this peace be offered by the Duke of Parma
with a true intent of performance by the King of Spain.

1. "When no open war went before, either by herald or
proclamation, it cannot be termed a peace that ensueth.

2. "A Spanish peace is more dangerous than manifest hatred,
being the snare he lays to entrap princes withal; witness Don
John's offer of free liberty of conscience, when he harboured the
hope, by maintaining the double faction of religion, to nourish
the fire that should consume their liberty and work their perpetual
overthrow. . . .

3. "Although the particular disposition of the King (being
inclined to a quietness of life) be different from the general
nature of the country, yet no true peace may be thought to
be offered by him (who supposeth himself, in respect of his
number of kingdoms, to be monarch of the world) without derogating from the greatness of his estate . . . especially having
received so many old wrongs and fresh injuries these three summers together.

4. "The nature of the Spaniard is to bear plumbeas iras"
and never to be content till he have infinite and public satisfaction for the least loss or displeasure; therefore it is not
likely that he means a true peace either with her Majesty
or those under her protection, seeing what treasure he has
consumed in these wars; last summer's charge alone being said
to amount to two million crowns.

The Spanish favourites say that the motion proceeded from
Cardinal Allen, who "foreseeing and pitying the overthrow of
his country . . . hath made intercession to the great King of
Spain to licence the Duke of Parma to propose this offer.

"Why this peace should be handled when nothing is less meant.

1. "To lull your honours asleep . . . in a supposed security
and in the mean while suam rem agere, by preparing all those
helps which might work your harms . . .

2. "To stay her Majesty from the endeavouring a farther
defence both for home and the Low Countries, by either ambassadors to German Princes . . . or levies of men in England.

3. "To justify to the world his manner of Royal proceeding,
that remitting wrongs after so many losses sustained . . . offered peace if it would have been accepted by her Majesty.

4. "To lessen and make neuters her Majesty's assured friends,
as Denmark, by framing him first an arbitrator to compose
strife . . . and by this means this great Jupiter, the King
of Spain, by ambassadors, might rain gold into Danœ's lap by
either corrupting his favourites there or diverting his mind
from her Majesty . . . or at the least, work in him some small
kind of indifferency, who as yet is wholly ours.

5. "Because . . what protestation so ever he maketh, be
either solemn oaths, or letters or commissions, he may by that
daily practised ground of Fides non est servanda break at that
time when the observing thereof shall be prejudicial to his
profit . . .

6. "The manner of his proceedings . . . was long since concluded in the Great Council of Spain; first to endeavour by
force of arms to recover all his losses . . . and if this were
not effectual, then to have recourse to this show of proffered
peace . . . following that devilish advice of Macchiavel, to join
the lion and fox in one body, in making show of peace and
carrying secretly in heart war.

"Reasons why some enterprise in hand.

1. "First, the supposal the Spaniard hath . . . of his own
greatness and strength, which he compareth to the main ocean
sea [enumerates his possessions] and therefore nothing without
the compass of his power, or the reach of his good fortune,
which hitherto, in Holland and the Low Countries' wars, hath
followed his endeavours . . .

2. "The easiness, he supposeth, of bringing it to pass, grounded
on the weakness of her Majesty's forces and means of her
friends, not throughly assured unto her . . . because there be
no [English] ambassadors anywhere, France excepted.

3. "Her Majesty's forces were never more distracted . .
as chiefest captains and men of service in Holland, and greater
numbers of others in ships abroad far off . . . besides the
suspicion of Scotland's faith and subjects' loyalty; so that the
question here is not whether any such enterprise be endeavoured,
but . . . whether it be riuscibile, being undertaken; and thereof
all those that wish well to Spain make no difficulty; as of late
Don Battista del Monte, sometimes Colonel . . . of the infantry
of the Low Countries, hath given out in Venice . . . that there
was not in the world a more easy attempt, nor more likely of
proof and good success than that of England . . .

4. "Their great preparations concurring at one time, of Parma
in Flanders and Santa Croce in Spain . . . serveth to prove
that some enterprise is in hand. And to what other end Santa
Croce should be in a readiness at this unseasonable time of the
year for the seas, no man can conjecture.

5. "Moreover, the exceeding charge the King is at in maintaining men in garrison . . . showeth there is some present
service to be undertaken.

6. "Advertisements be given to great men here, from Rome,
the Low Countries and sundry other places, to confirm the
supposal of some present expedition . . . therefore it is held
here that nothing less is meant than true peace by Parma;
as that Allen was promoted Cardinal extraordinarily at the re
quest of Spain, being her Majesty's disloyal and traitorous subject [and] the Duke of Parma made Gonfaloniero of the church,
as it were to encourage him to deserve by some especial service
this great honour in the cause of Rome. To this end most
princes of Italy solicited by the Pope's ambassadors; to this
end money . . . collected and distributed; to this end, men
promised and levied, and to this end munition and armour, with
all furniture, in a readiness; if not for this enterprise, to what
other end not known? . . .

"Why at this time this enterprise is to be undertaken, and so
long deferred, considering the pretended causes of wrongs offered be of many years' continuance.

"First, the nature of the Spaniard is to be slow in all his
actions . . . And therefore Don Pietro de Toledo, vice-roy of
Naples . . . was wont to say, in dispraise of tardanza Spagnuola; Che se la morte venisse di Spagna, viverebbe longo tempo.

"Moreover he never hazardeth his honour to the fortune of any
conflict till all preparations be in a readiness, in his opinion,
to ascertain him of victory; as it appeared . . before Don
Garzia de Toledo could have order for the freeing of Malta from
the siege of the Turk, 1565, and . . before Don John of
Austria could be furnished for that great battle against the
Turk [i.e. Lepanto] at the islands of Corsolary, 1571."

All things to further this enterprise are now concurring. Never
was Pope more forward to enter into it than Sixtus Quintus, or
of long time the Princes of Italy less incumbered with dissensions
at home, or more at his devotion; "as the Cardinal Duke of
Florence hath his brother Giovanni di Medici serving him in
Flanders as a colonel; Parma is his general; Savoy his sonin-law; Urbin[o] his pensioner, and those of the faction di
fuora, as [the] Dorias in Genoa, be his favourites."

The King, being aged, would gladly assure his son's quiet
possession in Portugal, the Low Countries and the Indies, which
cannot be throughly done so long as her Majesty has her forces
in Holland, Don Antonio in England, or English ships endangering his Indian fleet.

I have put down the means supposed here most fit to overthrow the world's opinion of his puissant greatness, and thereby
daunt his ambitious mind; "which is to bid him base at his
own goal, by furnishing Sir F. Drake with some especial ships
. . . to encounter Spanish armados even at his own doors,"
which the wisest sort think would so dismay him, that either
present peace would ensue, or his death from melancholy.

What intelligence France hath herein.

The only advertisement I can give is that he has been solicited
thereunto, and I have notice from an especial person that the
Pope's nuncio in Paris four months ago earnestly requesting
his help against the enemies of the Catholic religion, "he made
only this answer: that he would not hinder any of his Holiness'
or the King of Spain's enterprises; but to further the same by
either men or money, being pressed in his own country, he
found himself unable; whereupon his nuncio replied that his
consent was only desired to join in heart against the Huguenots,
the utter exterpation of which venomous sect was meant and
endeavoured by the Holy League; and as for his wants, he
said he doubted not but if his Holiness understood thereof, he
would give supply thereunto. And upon this conference, the
French King undertook the suit for the loan of 300,000 crowns
of the Pope this last summer and obtained the same," but
whether any straighter intelligence was entered into is not
known, though rather supposed by those of best intelligence here,
"that there lurketh a jealous suspicion between France and Spain,
for that the French King perceived himself hindered by Spain's
secret detraction . . . Moreover, Italy being the seminary of
the Spanish forces, if the French King should increase his
greatness, then might Spain be overweighed . . . especially seeing France hath his faction in Rome by the mean of Cardinal
Santa Croce" and in Genoa by being favoured by the side termed
di dentro. In Milan he [the King of Spain] has his faction to
uphold his ancient pretended title; and the possession of the Marquisate of Salazzo (a passage for his forces into Italy) belonging of right to his son-in-law, the Duke of Savoy. His garrisons are in the Comté of Mirandola, and Florence, Mantua and
Ferrara are at his devotion.

"Whether Scotland etc.

I know of no certain intelligence had with Spain, and do
not think that the King, having received so many gracious favours
from her Majesty, would ever consent to further a plot against
her by opening his ports to land any foreign power, or would be
so blinded as not to see that thereby his own misery would
ensue; "especially because I have seen in him a mirror of
heroical virtue, a wonderful zeal of true religion and a most rare
judgment of all matters politic."

Yet as his country is thought most fit to serve the Spanish
enterprise, that faction daily vaunts that he consents thereunto, and some here fear "that his young years, carried away
with the hope of increasing his greatness, cannot behold that
which all men discern. Moreover, because he hath his ambassador 'lidger' in France, a Catholic Bishop (fn. 6), and [the Bishop
of] Ross to acquaint him with the occurants of Rome, it is
thought by our men here that he cannot be free from the
suspicion of some intelligence with Spain, especially considering
that sundry priests of Scotland were sent this summer by the Pope
directly into Spain, where they received great entertainment,
. . . and the same time there came two gentlemen by stealth
out of Scotland that did belong to the Earl of Huntly, with
a secret message from the King, so that these lines (to use
their metaphor) . . . meeting in one centre, Spain, it is thought
they agree in one point," and this is confirmed by advices from
Rome and Spain.

These are but my own collections, upon private conferences
with my friends here, and as there might be danger to myself
if my letters were intercepted, I have not subscribed the place
from which they are sent, or my own name, and pray your
honour that having read this you would burn it, and send me a
note that it came safely to your hands. I send my servant,
Daniel Sympson to attend you, and if it please you to command
any service to me, he will come directly. By the time this
reaches you, I shall have finished my first year, wholly employed
here in her Majesty's service, in which I have bestowed not only
her allowance but as much more of mine own; wherefore I
humbly pray you to send the allowance augmented to one French
crown a day, according to my first petition when I was in
England; for otherwise, to my great grief, I must give over the
service.

After writing thus far the advices from Rome were delivered
me by the courier, with these occurants, dated 26 December,
[n.s.] 1587.

Last Tuesday there passed a courier from Spain to Naples
and Sicily, only leaving here a dispatch for the Catholic ambassador. Signor Vespasiano Gonzaga is sent by the King of
Spain as governor of Flanders, in place of the Duke of Parma,
who is going with his army on the enterprise for England.
[This paragraph is in Italian.]

"By which your honour may perceive that there is nothing
less thought of here than peace. And although that all these
reports . . . be not oracles, yet some true meaning may be
gathered of them. For it seemeth here an impossibility that
any peace should be concluded, when no apparent place is provided for to bestow that Spanish rubbish in, if the common
soldiers should be removed from the Low Countries. And Parma
himself having made an habit of a warlike life, could never
content himself to live either as viceroy of Naples or in peace
in his own dukedom in Italy," of which I made larger report in
my letter of Dec. 25, sent in Nicolo di Gozzi's packet.

"Since the new nuncio came hither [i.e. to Venice], there
have been sundry pictures of the Scottish Queen to be sold
in divers places, with verses made by G. Cr. Scotus (fn. 7) (for he
putteth down no more letters) and I take it, printed at Rome,
wherein, after many commendations of her virtues and especially
of her miraculous patience at her death, he inveigheth in most
opprobrious terms against her Majesty, and endeth with an
exhortation to all princes of the earth to endeavour a revenge
against her royal person and estate.

I have bought as many as I could see . . . and acquainted a
man of special account here with this libel, who will underhand
take order that no such from henceforth be sold of them, for
his authority could not warrant any open inhibition, not know
ing from what person it received commandment to be published.

"By our letters from Prague, of the 18th of December, Maximilian hath met with the vanguard of the Swede, and made him
retire back to Petricovia, so that we hear nothing but of the
great success of the house of Austria."

I send enclosed a letter of compliment from the Muscovite to
Maximilian.

By the last from Lyons, the Swissers and Reuters are reported
to be fled out of France. We hope the contrary.

I sent you last week the names of the cardinals created before
Christmas, and a note of the King of Spain's treasure brought
from the Indies by this last fleet. (fn. 8)—From N.N. 2 January stilo
novo, 1588. Signed N.N.

Reasons for not accepting the last answer of the Senate of
Hamburgh, "given us for a Vale."

1. Because "it containeth no one matter answerable" to her
Majesty's letters or our commission from the Merchants Adventurers; which was to treat for the renewing of the Residence
at Hamburgh. Their last answer contains a flat refusal to
contract for this on any conditions whatsoever.

Again, our commission was to treat for the Merchants Adventurers only; but their decree "sets all open to the common
merchant, and to so many as will come"; quite contrary to the
meaning of our commission.

2. Because it requires us to become suitors to her Majesty
and your honours for taking away all impositions "comprised
in a book late sent them by the Alderman of the Stilliard, which
is in effect a full restitution of all the Hanse privileges in England; and namely the Accord of Utrecht, at fourteen pence a
cloth . . . which we had cause to doubt how it might be taken
by her Majesty and your honours . . . being so prejudicial to
her customs.

3. "In respect of the ends they had in making this decree, . . .
viz. 1. to gratify the King of Spain and Duke of Parma, who
laboured with them . . . to make no contract with the English
nation"; 2. That within the time prescribed, they might see the
success of matters between her Majesty and the King of Spain,
and thereupon frame their determination; "in which respect,
to have rested upon this answer . . . had been nothing but to
have applied ourselves to their advantage.

4. Because it contains an untrue accusation against her Majesty
and your honours, viz. that your letters are obscure, and contain
only a show of general matters to be done for the Hanses;
whereas they contain a particular promise of all points to be
performed by her Highness, as given by her Highness at Nonsuch . . .

5. Because it contains divers other untruthful contradictions
to their own letters of Aug. 19; namely, that these say 'they
will contract for residency with the English Merchants Adventurers without the consent of the rest of the Hanse towns, while
their decree saith they must do nothing without it. Also that
they will accept what her Majesty promised them at Nonsuch,
while their decree claims a full restoration of all the Hanse privileges. Their letters promise to restore the residency of the
Adventurers; their decree requires her Majesty first to remove
all grievances. "Which contradictions we might seem to have
approved by making acceptance of their decrees."

Endd. 1½ pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II. 80.]

Dec. 27.

Reasons for the continuance and strengthening of the residence of the Merchants Adventurers at Stoad.

1. Because thereby the late practice of the Hanse towns has
been disappointed; i.e. "either to force her Majesty to a full
restoration of all the Hanse privileges, enjoyed in England 200
years ago, and namely that of Utrecht at 14d. a cloth, or else
to banish the English commodities quite out of Germany."
For if we fall off from Stoad, her Majesty must fall into the
old controversy, and the Merchant Adventurers into the hard
conditions of the Hamburgers, or go quite out of Germany.

For the Hanse towns meant to take advantage of the extremity
they thought our country to stand in, for lack of place to vent
their commodities in; as is shown by the relation of divers well
affected to our nation, by the letters of the rest of the Hanses
to Stoad, by propositions delivered by those of Hamburg to
the Senate of Stoad to dissolve this contract, and by their decree
wherein they require us to take away all the grievances imposed on them since the accord of Utrecht.

2. The conveniency of the place for our trade, the proof hereof
being our late mart there, "which being the first in that place,
exceeded the best they had these twenty years . . ."

3. In regard of her Majesty's honour, who has confirmed the
contract made with Stoad, and therefore cannot give her consent
for the dissolving of it except they give theirs also . . .

4. The great discredit that would grow to the Company, "noted
already with often flitting from one place to another . . . who
if they should deceive Stoad and break off their residence there,
might never look for the like friendship and entertainment hereafter in any town of Germany. . . ."

5. The disposition of the two places towards the Company and
the whole nation, and the better usage of their goods and persons.
"The Stoaders far better conditioned and better affected towards
the nation and Company than the Hamburgers."

For the Hamburgers, "if they be not plain enemies, yet are but
hard and subtle friends towards this realm." First, because they
are Spanish, and make more account of the Spanish friendship
than of ours; as is apparent by their rejecting of her Majesty's
petition in behalf of the Adventurers, at the request of the
King of Spain and Duke of Parma, it being shown by the confession of divers of their Senate that the embassy from these
and letters writ by principal men on that side were the cause of
their rejecting her Majesty's petition; as also by the propositions
from the Commissioners of Hamburg to the senate of Stoad,
wherein they profess this to be their motive, using the power and
authority of the King of Spain "to terrify the Stoaders from this
contract; and the relation of a burgher of Groningen, who
certified us of the Hamburgers' letters to Verdugo, captain
there, to that effect, viz. that they had satisfied the King of
Spain's request by casting off the English, etc.

2. "Their common rejoicing when any news cometh of loss
or disadvantage to England, or good success for Spain; as at
the loss of Sluys, the report of Sir Fr. Drake hurt and part
of his fleet surprised by the Spanish; the safe arrival of the
Spanish fleet from the Indies etc.

3. "By their late fleet often ships bought by the King of
Spain's factor and sent towards Spain, with men, victuals, armour
and engines to furnish the enemy; by the way divers of the
shippers entered Stoad, professed themselves to serve the King
of Spain, quarrelled and fought with the English merchants
and uttered many dispiteful words against the whole nation. . . .

6 [sic]. The conditions at Stoad far better than at Hamburg;
"as the free exercise of religion, with a preacher and administration of the sacraments; custom of one stiver on a cloth where
Hamburg requireth four, a convenient house free etc.

7. "For that the rest of the Hanse towns are less discontented
with this residence at Stoad than if it were returned and planted
at Hamburg, as appeareth in the Lubeckers' letters to the Senate
of Stoad to that effect viz.: that they ought all to refuse this residency of the English merchants, but yet can better afford it to
the town of Stoad than to Hamburg, if it were to be received
by either of them."

Endd. with date. 2¾ pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns 11. 81.]

Dec. 29.

"The Merchants Adventurers' answers (fn. 9) to the points of aggrievances contained in the letters from the Senate of Hambrow (fn. 10)
and such other exceptions as they take to the trade newly established at Stode."

1. Their commission was to treat with the Hamburghers for
restitution of their residence and trade either with their former
privileges, or upon reasonable conditions. and for assurance
of the Hamburghers' restitution in England they had her
Majesty's answer, dated at Nonsuch, 3 October 1585, for further
confirmation whereof we delivered her letters missives and your
honours' promise for performance of the said answer. "So both
our commission and instructions were fully sufficient." Before
our going thither they wrote both to her Majesty and the Merchants that if the said merchants would send their commissioners,
they would, on reasonable conditions accept them to their former
residence, in consideration of her Majesty yielding them their
privileges in England, and would conclude with them without
consent of the other Hanses.

2. Their decree [of August last] denies clearly for that time
to make any contract with us for privileges to the Merchants
Adventurers; setting the trade there open to all English merchants, and that only till Easter next; and in the first entry
of their answer (contrary to their former letters) they say
they cannot conclude any thing without the consent of the rest
of the Hanses. And whereas her Majesty promised their restitution in England when they had restored the Adventurers' residency at Hamburg, by their decree they demand it first, and
that not according to the answer at Nonsuch, but to the treaty
of Utrecht; "at 14d custom for a cloth etc."

Their deferring of the treaty till Easter was specially to perform their promise to the King of Spain and his lieutenant the
Duke of Parma; for it is apparent by their letters etc. that
they had promised not to conclude with us without their liking.
If all the rest of their answer had been reasonable (as it is
not) the danger that might have grown from that delay might
so have interrupted the utterance of our cloth at the spring as
would have been grievous to the whole realm. Moreover we
saw that they followed the direction of the King of Spain, and
might at Easter do the like.

3. No doubt they were grieved that we had concluded for
residency at Stoad, for thereby their whole plot (1. for preventing utterance of our cloth save by their favour; 2. the
pulling down of her Majesty's custom in England; 3. the advancing of the custom with them; 4. their unreasonable searches
and hard dealings with our merchants; 5. the decay of the said
merchants and their shipping; 6. "the bringing of the trade
to the Hanses, and to their shipping from us") was and is
prevented.

"We are rejected of a forward and unkind people; never
blushing to say and unsay (being written or unwritten) not only
to us but also to her Majesty and your honours; and we now
are settled with a faithful and courteous people, honouring her
Majesty, reverencing your honours, and loving us"; and by this
means the Hamburghers, who stood as great lords to be entreated, are driven themselves to become suitors; therefore no
marvel though they be grieved.

4. "They of Stoad are the most ancient Hanstown, and affirm
themselves to have privileges for the free passage of all men
by the river to and from their town. And in that behalf, offer
to try their right with the Hamburghers in the Imperial Chamber.

5. "It is not understood that the Hamburghers are at any
charge for keeping the channels or clearing the river of pirates
otherwise than for the commodity of themselves and their shipping."

6. "The matter between the Senate and the commonalty at
our being there we found only to stand in such terms as thereby to delay and delude us; otherwise they could always agree well
enough"; for when the Senate had agreed for us to take up
our cloths at 6d. the pieces for custom, next day they made us
pay 14d., saying the burghers would not otherwise consent. And
when they last expelled us from Hamburgh, having but few
days before confirmed our privileges inperpetuum, they said it
was against their wills, by order of the Lubeckers and other their
superiors, whose decrees they might not break. And now they
allege that they cannot conclude without the consent of the other
Hanses, "which colour if they may hold for current, who can
have anything assured them?" We and they never agreed upon
any articles after our coming to Stoad, though they showed us
some which they had drawn.

7. 8. The conclusion being absolutely made at Stoad, and the
merchants settled there; "as also the unkindness, [etc.] of the
Hamburghers, with their great devotion to the King of Spain
and Duke of Parma remembered," your suppliants do not see
how any good may come to them or to the common weal by
leaving Stoad, nor do they find anything in the Hamburghers'
answer that might move them to it.

9. "Lastly, whereas they say that they cannot tolerate this
injury (as they term it) offered to them by those of Stoad,"
these last have offered to justify themselves before the judge
of the Imperial chamber. And they say for themselves that
they are of the very first and most ancient of those which
are truly the Hans towns, and that in the catalogue of those
towns they have always the first and chief place; and consequently have the first pre-eminence and jurisdiction for the
passage and re-passage of all persons, merchandise and shipping
to and from their town," as shown by their ancient charters,
the validity whereof they offer, in friendly manner, to try with
the Hamburghers before the Imperial Judges; if they will not
otherwise be satisfied.

Endd. 2 pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II. 82 II.]

[On the same sheets as the abstracts of the complaints.]

Dec. 30./Jan. 9.

Thomas Bathecom to Walsingham.

Having often written to his honour but never received any
answer, he feels rather inclined to keep quiet than to busy himself further; yet desiring to show himself a good member of his
country, "when there is some likelihood of cause of offence,"
he sends the enclosed letter. "The man it is directed unto is
known so ill and vile a member to God and his country as the
substance therein cannot be good." Prays pardon for his presumption and craves an answer.—Rouen, 9 January, 1588,
French style.

Add. Endd. ½ p. [France XVII. 143.]

Dec. 30./Jan 9.

Stephen Powle to Walsingham.

His last was on Jan. 2 [n.s.], when he sent his honour answer
to the three points given him to enquire of by his honour's of
Oct. 15, received Dec. 20.

Constantinople, Nov. 28. The war was to go on in Persia, as
the Turk not only persisted in keeping garrisoned the seven
fortresses built against the Persian, but wished to keep up a
great army of 100,000 Turks, hoping to gain possession of the
Royal seat and the King who is master of the country, and,
enjoying the income of his city and provinces, no longer cares
that so many of the fortresses are now in the hand of the
Turk, hoping that if not to-day yet tomorrow, his views will
weaken, it may be by the wastage of his people, which is
great or by the long and weary journey, as by the frequent
attacks of the Persians against their enemies, and that either by
the raising of the Turkish camp or by some other design of war,
the Persian may make himself master of the fortresses without
fighting.

Vienna. The last advices from thence say that the Grand
Duchy of Lithuania had sent thirty ambassadors to Cracovia to
see if they may find means that Maximilian may remain King of
Poland, and the Prince of Sweden return to the King his father,
with the satisfaction of having made his sister queen, and the
Grand Chancellor reconciled to the house of Sboroschi, with permission obtained from the Emperor and the King Maximilian
that he should remain in possession of his goods, although deprived of the honourable charges which he had in that kingdom.

Rome, January 2. There is arrived here a secretary of the
Queen of Scots, who was made prisoner with others of her
people by the Queen of England, but after her death was liberated
by means of the French King, from whom he brought letters to
the Cardinal de Lenoncourt, which caused people to think that he
had some important business, but after kissing the Pope's feet,
he went back to be with the Cardinal Grand Master of Malta, and
it is believed that he came only on his own affairs, to obtain
some aid and comfort for his disgrace, as he has done with
the said Grand Master, who means shortly to return to Malta,
for which purpose he retains his galleys at Naples.

It is said here that the Duke of Ferrara, besides his ordinary
agents at the Emperor's court, has lately sent one of his chief
men thither to obtain the investiture of Modena and Reggio in
the person of Don Cesare d'Este, offering very liberal conditions,
and also to pay a certain sum of money for the affairs of Poland.
And, at his request, the Dukes of Mantua and Tuscany will
do the same.

On Thursday evening there arrived from France Signor Marco
Bandini, a gentleman of the chamber of the Most Christian
King, and sent by him to the Pope. It is said he is come
to give an account of what has happened in France, and to
demand favour of his Holiness in the matter of the alienation of
ecclesiastical goods, which has not yet been put in operation.

The Signor Chiapini Vitelli, private Chamberlain of the Pope,
is said to be making ready to carry the staff and blessed hat
for this year to the new Duke of Mantua.

There has died here a nephew of Cardinal Joyeuse, on his
sister's side. It is said that letters from Turin state that the
King of Spain is indisposed, though not very seriously; yet not
without danger because of his age and weakness. But no further news having come, it is hoped that all goes well.

Venice [undated]. From Spain, the dispatch of the powerful
armada is confirmed, but the enterprise not yet announced,
though conjectured to be for England; from whence, letters of
Nov. 25 from London advise us that the Queen had made very
great preparations for the defence of her realm, menaced by
the Spaniard in spite of the treaty of peace; although others
believe that this great force may be to join with that of the
Duke of Parma, for the recovery of Holland and Zeeland.

From Milan news comes hither that advices from Spain say
that it is held to be certain that the Marquis of Santa Croce
will go out with the fleet now at Lisbon, which increases every
day; but when or whither it will go is not known.

His Majesty has sent Archduke Maximilian 200000 florins for
the business of Poland. It is said that he is finding many difficulties, but it is hoped that by God's grace he will overcome
them all. The Duke of Paserana, son of the late Ruy Gomez,
a young man of good reputation, started a week ago for Flanders.
His Majesty gives him 500 crowns the month.

As to the pragmatic of titles, it seems that his [Spanish]
Majesty has given satisfaction to his Holiness.

Other advices from Milan say that last week the Archbishop
of Ireland passed through the town, who was aided with money
by the Duke of Terranuova, governor of the town, and other
prelates and knights. It is stated for certain that the Holy
Father will make the English enterprise, and that he is sent
by his Holiness to help on the business.
[The above intelligences are in Italian.]

I cannot learn who it is that passes under the name of the
Archbishop of Ireland, but there is nothing more current here
than that this enterprise is forthwith to be undertaken, "which
the meaner sort imagine will be to the utter overthrow of England; and that with the least difficulty in the world; but those
of more judgment make it not a matter of that easiness, unless
that the King of Spain have some straighter intelligence with
some traitorous Englishmen (and those not little ones) than is
apparent to the world. . . ."

Spain is reported to have above 60000 men ready for this
enterprise, and above a hundred and forty ships, having unfurnished Sardinia, Majorca and Minorca, Sicily and the gallioni
of Naples, besides the general contribution in Spain of all things
needed for it.

Schenck has taken 'Bouna' [Bonn] in the Low Countries." As
it is of great importance for the passage of the Rhine, it is given
out that the first service the Duke of Parma undertakes will be
to recover it.

By the time your honour receives this, my first year of being
employed wholly in her Majesty's service will have expired.
[Requests further allowance, as in his letter of Dec. 16. Mr.
Dr. White, the preacher, can give more particular notice of his
needs.]

Later letters from Prague, of the 27th of last month, arrived
here in Venice this morning, bring confirmation of the injury
done by King Maximilian to those of Cracovia, and received
from them, when his Majesty would have entered the town, if
the intelligence which his people had with a captain there had
not been discovered by the Grand Chancellor, who thereupon took
all necessary measures with diligence and speed. It is said
that his Majesty has withdrawn to the borders of Silesia, resolved rather to lose his life than to abandon the enterprise, and
hoping that his brother the Emperor will give him aid, as here
it is believed he will do. It is further reported that the Swede
[Prince Charles of Sweden] has entered Cracovia, where it is
believed he has been crowned, but this is not certain. Also
that Sboroschi had arrived in Prague, as if he meant to go into
Italy, to collect men in the name of his Majesty of Poland;
and also doing his utmost to get a good number in Germany.—
Venice, 9 January, 1588, silo novo.Add. Endd. 5 pp. [Newsletters LXXXI. 3.]
[News in Italian; the rest in English.]

Notes of a few of the principal points in Powle's letters of
Dec. 26, and Jan. 2 and 9, new style, in English.Endd. "Occurrences out of Italy from Mr. Stephen Powl,
Feb. [sic] 1587." 1¼ pp. [Ibid. 4.]

Dec.

Stafford to Burghley.

I send you a copy of my letters to Mr. Secretary and the Queen
by which your lordship will see what has passed since my last.
Also a commandment given me from the Queen by Mr. Secretary
"about the leaving of that which I writ to her of late of a
course I had taken about my wife. I pray God I may have
wit to invent so good a way to serve her again," and that he
will send me better luck to please her than I look for; "for
I see that what way I take to serve her, I have so many good
friends that it is taken for a jest; and if I do not serve her,
howsoever it be, I shall be thought negligent or worse. And so
I will leave all to God, and assure myself, si Deus nobiscum,
quis contra nos."—December, 1587.Postscript. Recommending the honesty of the bearer, who,
though he be a post, is also his ordinary servant for the time
of his abode in France.Holograph. Add. ¾ p. [France XVII. 144.]